College game has thrown obstacles at UNLV freshman Zimmerman

An illness sapped his strength in Hawaii. Stephen Zimmerman Jr. returned home and injured his right ankle. It was a bad week, followed by more bad luck.

A bruised left hip bothered him in Wichita, Kan., and the aggravation of a left thigh contusion sidelined him in Tucson, Ariz. In the past month, UNLV's 7-foot freshman has dealt with physical setbacks all over the map.

It's adversity he never faced in high school at Bishop Gorman. Forget for a while the speculation that Zimmerman might be a one-and-done player who's off to the NBA. He's simply trying to adjust to the college game.

"There is always a transition period, even if people say there is not one," Zimmerman said. "It definitely hasn't been like this before, but it's a new level and the game's way more physical, so that's where the injury part comes in, and sickness is just a part of life. I'll get better and be able to play better and help my team out soon."

It's not going to happen Tuesday night. The thigh injury will keep Zimmerman on the bench when UNLV (8-4) hosts South Dakota (7-5) at 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. Zimmerman needed treatment for swelling above his knee and was unable to practice Monday. He is expected to play again Dec. 30 in the Mountain West opener against Fresno State.

"The goal is to try to get him back right after Christmas for practice," coach Dave Rice said. "We hope to give him a few days and get him on the mend. Stephen has been unfortunate."

The illness, assorted injuries and occasional foul issues have combined to limit Zimmerman's impact in the non-conference season. He has been healthy and able to play 20 or more minutes in only seven of 12 games.

Through the first four games, Zimmerman averaged 12.0 points and 10.5 rebounds. But after a loss to UCLA in the Maui Invitational on Nov. 23, he got sick, missed the next game and has not been the same.

"I feel like there's a lot more I can do overall," he said. "I feel like I have a lot more that I can bring to the team."

In order to win the conference, the Rebels need some key pieces to take shape. Sophomore guard Patrick McCaw will have to find a way out of his shooting slump. McCaw averaged just 6.0 points and shot 7-for-27 from the field in December losses to Wichita State, Arizona State and Arizona. Senior point guard Jerome Seagears has to focus on running the offense more efficiently. Seagears has 15 assists and 11 turnovers while shooting 1-for-8 from 3-point range in the past four games.

Several pieces have not fit recently, and nothing was more puzzling than UNLV's second-half meltdown in the loss to Arizona State last week. Zimmerman shot 3 of 11, including 2 of 9 on mid-range jumpers and shots in the paint. For the most part, he has been a weak finisher in traffic in the low post.

"That's something that we work on every day," he said, "and it's definitely going to come with time."

Rice and assistant coach Ryan Miller talk about utilizing Zimmerman on the offensive end to create mismatches. He's got a smooth shooting stroke from the perimeter (3 of 4 on 3-pointers), sharp passing instincts and he operates well in space on the wing. He has been most effective on screen-and-roll plays and when facilitating the offense or finding shots from the high post.

"He's great facing the basket and catching the ball at the high post," Rice said. "He's the focal point of what we do. We'll continue to go through him. I think we've found where we can use him. He's a big guy who can run and he helps our transition."

That was on display Saturday, but only briefly. Zimmerman's ability to run the floor and beat centers and forwards off the dribble is a big reason he is projected to be a pro. In his first 14 seconds on the floor at Arizona, he blocked a shot, outran the defense on the break and dunked.

He scored six points in nine minutes before taking a knee to his thigh for the second time in three days, limping to the bench and staying there for the second half.

"It was still hurting, but it was something I tried to play through," he said. "It's part of the game. Coach Miller was telling me, 'From here on out, you'll probably never play a game at 100 percent again.' Of course, it sucks and everything, but there is nothing I can do about it but practice when I can and get better."

Zimmerman has been a strong rebounder, grabbing double-digit rebounds in four games while averaging 7.5 for the season. His offensive production has dipped to 9.5 points per game mainly due to decreased minutes and injuries.

At the semester break, his work on the floor is too incomplete to grade. The Rebels need to see him get healthy and deliver on the promise that comes with being a former McDonald's All-American.

"He has battled injuries and sickness and so forth, but we're obviously very pleased with the progress Stephen has made," Rice said. "He'll be very important for us in the conference season."

* NOTES — In Zimmerman's absence, Ben Carter and Dwayne Morgan are probable starters at the forward spots, Rice said. ... The Coyotes, who picked up an 85-81 win at Minnesota on Dec. 5, play a small, four-guard lineup and shoot 38.6 percent from 3-point range. ... UNLV beat South Dakota 75-61 last year in a neutral-court game at Sioux Falls.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247